Champions to face off in McKenna Cup

All-Ireland champions Tyrone have been drawn in the same group as holders Down for next years Dr McKenna Cup.

Mickey Hartes men, who had dominated the popular pre-season competition up to last year, will also face games against Monaghan and St. Marys College, Belfast in Group B.

National League champions Derry, who lost last seasons final to Down by 1-6 to 1-12, have been pitted with Fermanagh, UUJ and Donegal in Group A. Group C features Ulster champions Armagh, Cavan, Antrim and Queens University.

Ulster Council chairman Tom Daly said at least four games will be shown live on TG4 and pointed out that as six of the competing teams currently holder major honours at national or provincial level, there should be massive interest in the games which get underway on the weekend of January 3-4.

"With the range of silverware that we have in the province, there should be added interest around the competition this year," he said.

The competition will be run off with midweek and weekend games in order to have the whole campaign completed before the start of the National League in early February.